A former United States Army ranger, who last year sued the Northern Marianas over its gun laws, can now apply for a firearms licence under the territory's new laws.
Paul Michael Murphy sued the police commissioner for US$5 million over the alleged confiscation of his firearms and ammunition in 2007.
A US District Court judge, Ramona Manglona, says the territory's new gun laws deal with issues raised by Mr Murphy when he sued over the confiscation.
Ms Manglona says the new laws now mean Mr Murphy can register a handgun in a calibre above .22, which is one of the issues in his lawsuit.
However, Ms Manglona says other issues such as a ban on high-calibre rifles, remain unresolved.